Russian missiles target civilians across Ukraine. Catch up on the latest here
From CNN staff
Rescuers work at the site of a building destroyed during a Russian missile strike in Pokrovsk, Ukraine on August 7. State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Reuters
At least seven people were killed and dozens of others injured after Russian missiles struck a residential building in Pokrovsk, a city in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainian officials said Monday.
"Every hit to residential buildings hurts anew," Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska tweeted following the attacks.
Here's what else you need to know:
Assassination plot: An alleged informant for Russia has been detained in connection to a plot to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said Monday. The detained woman has not been named publicly but is from the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv, according to a statement from the SBU.
Counteroffensive latest: Ukraine's Armed Forces Chief Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi said he told his US counterpart that Ukrainian forces are step-by-step creating conditions for advancing in the south, where they have struggled to gain ground as heavy fighting rages. Zaluzhnyi said he told top US general Mark Milley that Ukraine's defenses were steadfast and "initiative is on our side."
US aid: The first batch of Abrams tanks that the US is providing to Ukraine was approved for shipment over the weekend, and the tanks are on track to arrive in Ukraine by early fall, Army Acquisition Chief Doug Bush said Monday. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is working on a supplemental funding request for Ukraine that will likely be ready for Congress to consider by this fall, Bush said.
Peace talks: China praised talks aimed at finding a peace formula in Ukraine after a Chinese envoy attended a summit in Saudi Arabia that Russia said was "doomed to fail." There is no indication that China’s attendance at the summit will lead to any change in its staunch support for Russia, but Beijing is increasingly eager to be seen as an international peacekeeper. Kyiv praised the development as a "super breakthrough."
POWs freed: After being held as prisoners of war, 22 Ukrainian military service members were released Monday, according to Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President. "There are wounded among the released," he said.
Priest jailed: A priest with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been sentenced to five years in prison for a number of public statements in support of the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office said Monday. The church, despite its name, had traditionally been loyal to the Russian Orthodox Church, whose leader Patriarch Kiril has openly supported Moscow’s invasion.
25 min ago
Every time residential buildings are attacked it "hurts anew," Ukrainian first lady says
From CNN's Radina Gigova
Rescuers work at the site of a building destroyed during a Russian missile strike in Pokrovsk, Ukraine on August 8. Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Reuters
Russian shelling in parts of Donetsk region has continued for years, and every time residential buildings are hit it "hurts anew," Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska said Monday after Russian missiles hit homes in the eastern city of Pokrovsk.
"Pokrovsk, Donetsk region. Enemy shelling has not subsided here for years. And every hit to residential buildings hurts anew," Zelenska tweeted. "This time, rescuers who were helping the victims in a high-rise building came under fire. One rescuer was killed and five others were wounded. Our hearts go out to their families."
What we know so far about the strikes: At least seven people were killed and 57 were injured in Monday's strikes on the city, according to authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had launched two missiles that struck the residential building and he vowed to hold Moscow accountable for the attack.
3 hr 4 min ago
Biden administration working on supplemental Ukraine funding request, US Army official says
From CNN's Natasha Bertrand
The Biden administration is working on a supplemental funding request for Ukraine that will likely be ready for Congress to consider by this fall, Army acquisition chief Doug Bush said Monday.
The administration “is working on a package for Congress to consider this fall,” Bush said, adding that the details still have to be determined by the Office of Management Budget. “But I think we'll have a very strong case, and hopefully garner congressional support for continued funding — in particular for munitions production increases and munitions buys to support Ukraine.”
CNN previously reported that the White House was not planning to ask Congress for new Ukraine funding before the end of the fiscal year at the end of September, pitting administration officials against some lawmakers and congressional staffers who were concerned the funds could run out by mid-summer.
That funding shortfall does not appear to have happened, largely because the Pentagon previously overvalued the amount it had spent on weaponry to Ukraine by $6.2 billion.
More about the US' funding for Ukraine: In December, Congress approved the administration’s request for an additional $48 billion to help arm Ukraine and combat the Covid-19 pandemic, $36 billion of which was specifically allocated for Ukraine.
The supplemental was meant to last through September 30. The administration requested this kind of additional funding to help support Ukraine four times last year, in March, May, September and December.
3 hr 7 min ago
Russian strikes kill at least 2 civilians in Kharkiv region, Ukrainian official says
From CNN's Mariya Knight and Radina Gigova
At least two civilians were killed and five others injured after Russian missiles hit homes in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, a senior Ukrainian official said Monday.
"The Russians shelled the village of Kruglyakivka in the Kupyansk district with four guided aerial bombs. They hit private houses," said Andrii Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, in a Telegram message.
Meanwhile, at least seven people were killed and 57 others injured after Russian missiles struck a residential building in the eastern city of Pokrovsk, in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian officials said.
19 min ago
China praises Ukraine talks in Saudi that Russia said were "doomed to fail"
From CNN's Nadeen Ebrahim
Representatives from China, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia attend talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 6. Saudi Press Agency/Reuters
China said the two-day meeting in Jeddah helped “to consolidate international consensus” on finding a peaceful solution to the conflict, Reuters reported, citing a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
The talks brought together more than 40 nations, including Ukraine, the United States, European states, and the BRICS group of countries — perhaps none as closely watched as China, Russia’s most powerful ally. Kremlin officials said Russia had not been invited to the talks but was monitoring them, state media reported.
While the summit yielded little more than a pledge to hold more discussions in the future, Ukraine hailed China’s attendance as a diplomatic victory. Beijing had steered clear of a previous round of talks in Denmark in June, but has deepened ties with Saudi Arabia in recent years.
China was given a prominent seat at the table in Jeddah. In photos published by Saudi Arabia’s state news agency, Saudi national security adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiba was sat between his US counterpart, Jake Sullivan, and Chinese Special Representative on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui.
Li “had extensive contact and communication with all parties on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis … listened to all sides’ opinions and proposals, and further consolidated international consensus,” China’s foreign ministry told Reuters in a written statement. “All parties positively commented on Li Hui’s attendance, and fully backed China’s positive role in facilitating peace talks,” the statement said, adding that Beijing would continue to work to strengthen dialog based on its 12-point proposal for Ukraine. CNN has reached out to the ministry for comment.
Editor's Note: A version of this post appears in CNN's Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Read the full story here and sign up here.
3 hr 14 min ago
Zelensky assassination plot foiled, Ukraine says
From CNN's Tim Lister, Olga Voitovych and Christian Edwards
An alleged informant for Russia has been detained in connection to a plot to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said Monday.
The detained woman has not been named publicly but is from the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv, according to a statement from the SBU.
The SBU said she had been “gathering intelligence” about Zelensky’s planned visit to Mykolaiv at the end of July, in order to plan a Russian airstrike to kill the president.
However, SBU agents had obtained information about the “subversive activities of the suspect” and adopted additional security measures, foiling the plot. The SBU said that it caught the woman “red-handed” as she “was trying to pass intelligence to the invaders.”
In monitoring the communications of the woman, the SBU established that she also had the task of identifying the location of electronic warfare systems and warehouses with ammunition of the armed forces.
She allegedly traveled around the territory of the district and filmed the locations of Ukrainian objects.
According to the investigation, the perpetrator was a resident of Ochakov in Mykolaiv region and a former saleswoman in a military store.
At least seven people were killed and 57 others injured after Russian missiles struck a residential building in the eastern city of Pokrovsk, in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian officials said.
An alleged Russian informant was detained in connection to a plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky, Kyiv said.
China praised talks aimed at finding a peace formula in Ukraine after a Chinese envoy attended a summit in Saudi Arabia that Russia said was "doomed to fail."
Rescuers work at the site of a building destroyed during a Russian missile strike in Pokrovsk, Ukraine on August 7. State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Reuters
At least seven people were killed and dozens of others injured after Russian missiles struck a residential building in Pokrovsk, a city in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainian officials said Monday.
"Every hit to residential buildings hurts anew," Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska tweeted following the attacks.
Here's what else you need to know:
Assassination plot: An alleged informant for Russia has been detained in connection to a plot to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said Monday. The detained woman has not been named publicly but is from the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv, according to a statement from the SBU.
Counteroffensive latest: Ukraine's Armed Forces Chief Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi said he told his US counterpart that Ukrainian forces are step-by-step creating conditions for advancing in the south, where they have struggled to gain ground as heavy fighting rages. Zaluzhnyi said he told top US general Mark Milley that Ukraine's defenses were steadfast and "initiative is on our side."
US aid: The first batch of Abrams tanks that the US is providing to Ukraine was approved for shipment over the weekend, and the tanks are on track to arrive in Ukraine by early fall, Army Acquisition Chief Doug Bush said Monday. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is working on a supplemental funding request for Ukraine that will likely be ready for Congress to consider by this fall, Bush said.
Peace talks: China praised talks aimed at finding a peace formula in Ukraine after a Chinese envoy attended a summit in Saudi Arabia that Russia said was "doomed to fail." There is no indication that China’s attendance at the summit will lead to any change in its staunch support for Russia, but Beijing is increasingly eager to be seen as an international peacekeeper. Kyiv praised the development as a "super breakthrough."
POWs freed: After being held as prisoners of war, 22 Ukrainian military service members were released Monday, according to Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President. "There are wounded among the released," he said.
Priest jailed: A priest with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been sentenced to five years in prison for a number of public statements in support of the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office said Monday. The church, despite its name, had traditionally been loyal to the Russian Orthodox Church, whose leader Patriarch Kiril has openly supported Moscow’s invasion.
Rescuers work at the site of a building destroyed during a Russian missile strike in Pokrovsk, Ukraine on August 8. Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Reuters
Russian shelling in parts of Donetsk region has continued for years, and every time residential buildings are hit it "hurts anew," Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska said Monday after Russian missiles hit homes in the eastern city of Pokrovsk.
"Pokrovsk, Donetsk region. Enemy shelling has not subsided here for years. And every hit to residential buildings hurts anew," Zelenska tweeted. "This time, rescuers who were helping the victims in a high-rise building came under fire. One rescuer was killed and five others were wounded. Our hearts go out to their families."
What we know so far about the strikes: At least seven people were killed and 57 were injured in Monday's strikes on the city, according to authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had launched two missiles that struck the residential building and he vowed to hold Moscow accountable for the attack.
The Biden administration is working on a supplemental funding request for Ukraine that will likely be ready for Congress to consider by this fall, Army acquisition chief Doug Bush said Monday.
The administration “is working on a package for Congress to consider this fall,” Bush said, adding that the details still have to be determined by the Office of Management Budget. “But I think we'll have a very strong case, and hopefully garner congressional support for continued funding — in particular for munitions production increases and munitions buys to support Ukraine.”
CNN previously reported that the White House was not planning to ask Congress for new Ukraine funding before the end of the fiscal year at the end of September, pitting administration officials against some lawmakers and congressional staffers who were concerned the funds could run out by mid-summer.
That funding shortfall does not appear to have happened, largely because the Pentagon previously overvalued the amount it had spent on weaponry to Ukraine by $6.2 billion.
More about the US' funding for Ukraine: In December, Congress approved the administration’s request for an additional $48 billion to help arm Ukraine and combat the Covid-19 pandemic, $36 billion of which was specifically allocated for Ukraine.
The supplemental was meant to last through September 30. The administration requested this kind of additional funding to help support Ukraine four times last year, in March, May, September and December.
At least two civilians were killed and five others injured after Russian missiles hit homes in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, a senior Ukrainian official said Monday.
"The Russians shelled the village of Kruglyakivka in the Kupyansk district with four guided aerial bombs. They hit private houses," said Andrii Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, in a Telegram message.
Meanwhile, at least seven people were killed and 57 others injured after Russian missiles struck a residential building in the eastern city of Pokrovsk, in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian officials said.
Representatives from China, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia attend talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 6. Saudi Press Agency/Reuters
China said the two-day meeting in Jeddah helped “to consolidate international consensus” on finding a peaceful solution to the conflict, Reuters reported, citing a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
The talks brought together more than 40 nations, including Ukraine, the United States, European states, and the BRICS group of countries — perhaps none as closely watched as China, Russia’s most powerful ally. Kremlin officials said Russia had not been invited to the talks but was monitoring them, state media reported.
While the summit yielded little more than a pledge to hold more discussions in the future, Ukraine hailed China’s attendance as a diplomatic victory. Beijing had steered clear of a previous round of talks in Denmark in June, but has deepened ties with Saudi Arabia in recent years.
China was given a prominent seat at the table in Jeddah. In photos published by Saudi Arabia’s state news agency, Saudi national security adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiba was sat between his US counterpart, Jake Sullivan, and Chinese Special Representative on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui.
Li “had extensive contact and communication with all parties on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis … listened to all sides’ opinions and proposals, and further consolidated international consensus,” China’s foreign ministry told Reuters in a written statement. “All parties positively commented on Li Hui’s attendance, and fully backed China’s positive role in facilitating peace talks,” the statement said, adding that Beijing would continue to work to strengthen dialog based on its 12-point proposal for Ukraine. CNN has reached out to the ministry for comment.
Editor's Note: A version of this post appears in CNN's Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Read the full story here and sign up here.
An alleged informant for Russia has been detained in connection to a plot to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said Monday.
The detained woman has not been named publicly but is from the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv, according to a statement from the SBU.
The SBU said she had been “gathering intelligence” about Zelensky’s planned visit to Mykolaiv at the end of July, in order to plan a Russian airstrike to kill the president.
However, SBU agents had obtained information about the “subversive activities of the suspect” and adopted additional security measures, foiling the plot. The SBU said that it caught the woman “red-handed” as she “was trying to pass intelligence to the invaders.”
In monitoring the communications of the woman, the SBU established that she also had the task of identifying the location of electronic warfare systems and warehouses with ammunition of the armed forces.
She allegedly traveled around the territory of the district and filmed the locations of Ukrainian objects.
According to the investigation, the perpetrator was a resident of Ochakov in Mykolaiv region and a former saleswoman in a military store.
